Pylon
by Killing Joke
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. Exclaim
    Oct 22, 2015
    90
    Pylon is sweet 16 for these 50-somethings, and honestly, it couldn't be sweeter; Killing Joke are still promoting the driving dynamics of post-punk, and still doing it better than the rest.
  2. PopMatters
    Nov 17, 2015
    80
    As minacious and filled with foreboding as Pylon is, it is also melodic, catchy, and downright fun.
  3. Record Collector
    Nov 6, 2015
    80
    Pylon is propulsive, girder-heavy and demands to be played loud. But like the best of their oeuvre, from early single Requiem to last album MMXII, it features chord progressions of intense melodic beauty like glimmers of the divine shining through the depths of hell.
  5. Kerrang!
    Oct 29, 2015
    80
    They continue to blast out their post-punk hymns to the end of the world with a wild-eyed mania that's genuinely scary. [31 Oct 2015, p.54]
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  6. Mojo
    Oct 27, 2015
    80
    Suffice to say, they've kept their edge. [Dec 2015, p.93]
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  7. Uncut
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    Pylon sees Killing Joke maintain the late-career renaissance precipitated by the original lineup reuniting for 2010's Absolute Dissent. [Nov 2015, p.77]
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  8. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    There’s much to enjoy about Pylon, not least on the punitive, jet-black musical side of things.
  9. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 22, 2015
    80
    The musicality on Pylon remains suitably elastic.
  10. AllMusic
    Nov 9, 2015
    70
    The album's widescreen sound and bone-fracturing impact leave no doubt that Killing Joke are still deeply committed to what they do, and it's genuinely remarkable that they're still sounding this furious and effective 35 years after their debut album.
  11. Q Magazine
    Dec 14, 2015
    60
    Unlikely to win any new converts then, Pylon still remains a triumph of wilful perversity. [Jan 2016, p.113]
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  12. Consequence
    Oct 26, 2015
    50
    The finished product is still strong and consistent, to be sure, but with the lack of variety, Pylon is likely to be remembered as an album that just kept a constant rhythm for 56 minutes.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. EweLewz
    Nov 16, 2015
    8
    IMO, This album is a more refined version of "Hosannas" which never took off. Geordie's ever present crunch sound takes melodic twists, whichIMO, This album is a more refined version of "Hosannas" which never took off. Geordie's ever present crunch sound takes melodic twists, which was previously missing. My favorite track is New Jerusalem, which is just plain bad-ass. Jazz's vocals do sound strained at times, but for his age, I have no complaints. I found Big Buzz a refreshing change to their usual apocalyptic-type hammering. 50 years from now, Killing Joke will be remembered as not only as pioneers of the genre, but for their intense passion. Killing Joke and Ministry set the stage for many bands already forgotten. Nobody under the age of 40 has the right to critique them.… Full Review »
  2. jaspy77
    Nov 11, 2015
    9
    Amazing álbum. The best record they have done in years. Mixture of old & new Killing Joke. I am in love with the band again. Best songs:Amazing álbum. The best record they have done in years. Mixture of old & new Killing Joke. I am in love with the band again. Best songs: Autonomous Zone, New Cold War, Big Buzz or Euforia… Full Review »
  3. nirvanafreak
    Oct 29, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Favourite Songs: Euphoria, Autonomous Zone
    Least Favourite Songs: Delete
    This album definitely marks the end of Killing Joke being a legendary band. Their old music may have influenced many popular artists in music (like Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden who have both created masterpieces) but the music they make now sounds no where near as genre defining or even as good as their old stuff. First off, Jaz's voice is clearly fading away on these tracks. It's been like that for nearly a decade now and for a man of his age it's not a surprise but I just don't want to hear it when I'm listening to an album. Instrumentally it's pretty tiresome as well with the same mix of heavy guitars and drums that sound as if they could've just been looped during verses. When each track is 6 minutes long that becomes even more painful. I have to admit, when it comes to the choruses the guitar work becomes a bit more interesting but it's still not layered enough for its length.
    Improvement On Previous Project?: No
    Try This If You Like: Drones by Muse    … Full Review »
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